Capturing and retaining knowledge has been the focal point of education for centuries. But while memorizing may help students pass tests, it may not always lead to a deeper understanding of the subject matter. To overcome this all too common lapse, educators need to know about active learning strategies. By engaging critical thinking and problem-solving techniques, active learning helps to foster deeper understanding and encourages knowledge retention.
Continue reading to find out about the various active learning strategies that can be implemented in the classroom, enabling students to gain greater insight and expertise in their chosen fields, leading to success both during and after the school year.
1. Exploring New Ways of Strengthening Your Knowledge
Life is constantly changing and it’s important to stay up to date by exploring new methods for enhancing our knowledge. Here are 3 ways to add an extra spark to your personal education journey!
- Seek out online courses. With the rise in technology, more and more courses are now available online. Doing an online course is an excellent way to expand your skills, update your knowledge on certain subjects, and even earn a certificate.
- Take advantage of webinars. Webinars are fun, interactive and often free. They are conducted online and provide informative sessions, discussions, and Q&A’s. Finding a webinar that can help you develop a skill or discover a new topic is an excellent way to stay on top of modern trends.
- Read, read, read. Reading is an invaluable asset. Not only does it provide you with valuable information in the form of books and magazines, it also helps you improve your analytical and critical thinking skills. Taking the time to read non-fiction books or to subscribe to online magazines can help you enhance your knowledge.
Exploring new ways of strengthening knowledge doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With the right guidance and determination, anyone can make strides in their personal learning objectives. Whether it is through online courses, webinars, or books, there are sure to be numerous methods that will suit your needs.
2. Taking Learning a Step Further with Active Strategies
Once you understand the basics, it’s important to take learning a step further. Here are some active strategies for enhancing your knowledge and pushing yourself:
- Practice and repetition. The closer an activity is to real-life, the more effective it will be in helping you to remember the skills you’ve learnt. Repeat activities regularly and use different approaches to reinforce your understanding.
- Be creative. Learning vocabulary or numbers? Why not write a song to help you remember them better? Or try drawing or role-play to get better acquainted with a topic.
Not sure where to start? Take guided practice to the next level by trying the following:
- Study groups. Gather a small group of friends or classmates and pick a topic to discuss. Take turns presenting, answer each other’s questions, and look for interesting research papers on the given subject.
- Translate, explain, or demonstrate. Practice your studies by translating texts to different languages, explaining complex topics in common language, or demonstrating a phenomenon.
Studying actively doesn’t have to be boring. Take the learning process to the next level by incorporating fun activities like guided practice or study groups. By staying open to new ideas and exploring new methods, you can make the most out of every activity.
3. Kickstarting Active Learning for Deeper Comprehension
Successful learning doesn’t come from simple list memorization or single lectures. When it comes to long-term memory and comprehension, active learning is the way to go. Active learning is any experience in which students are engaged in learning instead of passively absorbing information.
If you want to start actively learning for deeper comprehension, try incorporating the following types of activities:
- Group Discussions: Encourage students to share their hypotheses and the logical process that’s led them to those conclusions.
- Digital Learning Tools: Supplement lectures and discussion with online activities like making flashcards and taking quizzes.
- Interactive Projects: Guide students in performing an experiment or hands-on project such as analyzing a novel or creating a video.
One of the best things about active learning is that there are infinite possibilities when it comes to what methods you can use. You can use class activities, games, music, or anything else that gets students engaged. Another huge plus is that it also works well for teachers who are teaching online.
If you’re still having trouble getting active learning to stick with your students, use the space in your classes to make learning real. Work in open-ended projects, have students write out reflections, and let them engage with argumentative texts or activities that involve in-depth analysis. Students should be allowed to express their creativity and get their hands dirty!
4. An Interactive Path to Knowledge Retention and Development
It is no secret that the world around us is ever changing and adapting. In order to stay on top of the shifting tides, it is important to have a strong foundation of knowledge. Here is :
- Learning: Start by learning as much as you can. Read books, listen to lectures, take classes – polish your base of knowledge to the best of your ability.
- Examining: Once you have a solid foundation, it is time to dig deeper. Test what you understand, challenge your views and opinions on a topic. Ask for feedback from people who know more than you do.
- Engaging Others: The final step in knowledge retention and development is engaging with other people. Discuss your understanding on topics with people who have diverse views and experiences. Exchange ideas and gain further insight to broaden your horizon.
These three steps form a great path for knowledge retention and development. The core of this path is the idea of unlearning and relearning. Get comfortable with the idea that everything is subject to change. Be open-minded, be curious, and be willing to re-examine your perceptions of the world.
Being an interactive learner means that you need to not only be able to learn from books, lectures, and classes, but also from other people and real-life experiences. Embrace the idea that you can learn something from each person you interact with. People have a different way of looking at the world, and you can learn and grow from it.
Learning isn’t just an activity of the mind, but an activity of the heart too. Being an interactive learner can help you cultivate both. With knowledge retention and development, you can be ready to change and adapt to whatever comes your way.
Perhaps one of the most powerful things you can do when learning something is to really engage in it. Active learning strategies are a great way to make sure you’re really connecting, comprehending and having a deeper understanding of the material. So the next time you’re studying or engaging in a new concept, remember to keep your mind active, so that you can really open up your learning experience.
